Ive driven my E60 in the winter since I got it and I love it. Fresh powder days are always so much fun becuase there arent nearly as many people on the roads so there is that much more drift space.

Ive been using 245/45/18 Michelin PA3's all square on my E60 and I want to figure the winters for the F10 so as not to find myself in trouble (after a mild winter last year Im predicting a snowy september/october for us this year).

Most people have been suggesting 255/40/19 and that is what I am leaning towards, but, I remember hearing some horror stories from people using 19 inch winters on their E60 M5's. Will an 18 inch wheel fit over the brakes on the F10? 245/45/18 are within about 2.5% percent of the stock diameter; is that close enough?

18" wheel for the F10 M5 may not be appropriate as my dealer here in Toronto had called both BMW Canada and BMW Germany to find out what's the proper wheel for winter. They both came back with 19". 18" wheel (even with any BMW stock) will not clear the front brake caliper. I already have a set of Style 281 (used currently on my F10 550) and thinking I can save some $ and use it on the M5, the idea was quickly dismissed by the confirmation.

At the end, a really good set of winter tire is the key to the M5's winter drivability. Good ones such as Bridgestone LM60 and Michelin PA4 are what I am considering to get this winter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathray

Ive driven my E60 in the winter since I got it and I love it. Fresh powder days are always so much fun becuase there arent nearly as many people on the roads so there is that much more drift space.

Ive been using 245/45/18 Michelin PA3's all square on my E60 and I want to figure the winters for the F10 so as not to find myself in trouble (after a mild winter last year Im predicting a snowy september/october for us this year).

Most people have been suggesting 255/40/19 and that is what I am leaning towards, but, I remember hearing some horror stories from people using 19 inch winters on their E60 M5's. Will an 18 inch wheel fit over the breaks on the F10? 245/45/18 are within about 2.5% percent of the stock diameter; is that close enough?

The issue I have is in Canada, BMW stock rims/aftermarket (good quality) rims are expensive and we are forced to buy in the US, but then we are forced to pay the sky high duties/freight/brokerage fees.

Take the 19" BMW stock rims (to be used for winter), the dealer here quotes about $5000 for a set 408M (low pressure cast, I believe) with Pirelli Sotto 240 Series II. Since I do not like the price for the above package, I priced out the aftermarket rims (better quality, like flow formed cast) and Michelin PA4 or Bridgestone LM60 and the price comes out to $5500 - $6000. When I start asking if these aftermarket wheels will clear the M5 front brakes, nobody knows the answer and told me I am ordering at my own risk. If they don't clear, then I am stuck with wheels I cannot use.

After couple of months researching, I decided to just go for really nice wheels with the reputation of BBK fitment. Eventually, I settled with Forgeline as Vettes, Porsche, Mustangs use this brand on the Motorsports.

I really want to go with the Michelin PA4's, but, 255/40R19 seems to be unavailable everywhere (I think tirerack dropped them from their size chart altogether today). Would the 245/40R19 work? It looks fine for the rear, but, is 2.17% smaller in the front. If you add that to how much the tires will shrink with tread wear it's floating pretty close to 3%.

Im also a big fan of a square winter setup I can rotate without dismounting so Im looking at ordering a set of CCW Corsair's in 19x9 ET35. Has anyone heard anything else about fitment and sizing for winters? Am I looking at trouble by trying to keep the front and rear wheels identical?

My local tire supplier already says there will not be too many Michelin PA4 255/40/19 being made right now, therefore, if you really need them, better order them as early as possible.

The offset for the front & rear is a bit different.

I went with:
F - 19 * 9 et 32 255/40/19
R - 19 *10 et 34 255/40/19

Same as the stock spec. & configuration

The downside is I cannot rotate the front & rear even with the square setup.

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathray

I really want to go with the Michelin PA4's, but, 255/40R19 seems to be unavailable everywhere (I think tirerack dropped them from their size chart altogether today). Would the 245/40R19 work? It looks fine for the rear, but, is 2.17% smaller in the front. If you add that to how much the tires will shrink with tread wear it's floating pretty close to 3%.

Im also a big fan of a square winter setup I can rotate without dismounting so Im looking at ordering a set of CCW Corsair's in 19x9 ET35. Has anyone heard anything else about fitment and sizing for winters? Am I looking at trouble by trying to keep the front and rear wheels identical?

I really want to go with the Michelin PA4's, but, 255/40R19 seems to be unavailable everywhere (I think tirerack dropped them from their size chart altogether today). Would the 245/40R19 work? It looks fine for the rear, but, is 2.17% smaller in the front. If you add that to how much the tires will shrink with tread wear it's floating pretty close to 3%.

Im also a big fan of a square winter setup I can rotate without dismounting so Im looking at ordering a set of CCW Corsair's in 19x9 ET35. Has anyone heard anything else about fitment and sizing for winters? Am I looking at trouble by trying to keep the front and rear wheels identical?

Ive been doing a little bit more research and Im still not set about the offsets.

The winter package that is spec'd in Europe (with the pirelli's I believe) has

19x9 ET32 Front
19x9 ET25 Rear

Is this built this way to move the rears a little bit further away from the body to maintain the stance despite going to a narrower tire? If we use a higher offset and keep them further in will it effect driving stability? My dealer still has no fitment information because BMW Canada hasnt released their packages yet. Im a little worried about tire availability so Im not overly keen on waiting until BMW Canada gets their act together, but, I dont want to get a set of wheels that throws off the stability control either.

Is this built this way to move the rears a little bit further away from the body to maintain the stance despite going to a narrower tire? If we use a higher offset and keep them further in will it effect driving stability? My dealer still has no fitment information because BMW Canada hasnt released their packages yet. Im a little worried about tire availability so Im not overly keen on waiting until BMW Canada gets their act together, but, I dont want to get a set of wheels that throws off the stability control either.

Wheels made by CCW (Complete Custom Wheels) style C15, black powdercoat. Tires are Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 245/40R19 all around. I should get them in 3-4 weeks (though I dont plan on installing them right away unless we get an early winter) and Ill try to post some pictures once theyre in.